Krafton
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Tarae: The Unbound seems to get what makes a good ARPG, but crunchy combat aside, can it rise to the likes of Diablo and Path of Exile?
Tarae: The Unbound, an upcoming isometric action RPG from South Korean studio Boundary and publisher Krafton, shows significant promise based on early hands-on impressions. The game, rooted in Buddhist mythology, excels at making combat feel visceral and impactful, with satisfying feedback on attacks and a well-implemented teleportation mechanic using a throwable dagger. While the demo was short, the combat mechanics and potential for character build customization are enticing, suggesting it could be a strong contender in the ARPG genre.
"We opted out of some things really early on": How the 24-person team making No Law plan to make it look as big as Cyberpunk 2077
Neon Giant, a 24-person team, is developing the open-world RPG No Law, aiming for a scope comparable to Cyberpunk 2077 by strategically limiting features. Creative director Tor Frick explains how the team opted out of elements like drivable cars and entering every building to focus on verticality and dense exploration within their Mediterranean-inspired city, Port Desire. The game's design incorporates layered systems and dynamic world elements like time and weather to create a rich player experience despite the team's size.
The MOP Up: Dune Awakening nets one million new players from its console launch
Funcom reported that Dune Awakening has attracted over one million new players following its console launch, with the game currently on sale on Steam. The article also rounds up other smaller MMO news, including updates for Valheim, Lord of the Rings Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Warhammer 40K: Darktide, and Satisfactory, alongside a cease-and-desist for a Tera Classic rogue server and new Warcraft action figures.
PUBG: Black Budget extraction shooter spinoff canceled
Krafton and PUBG Corporation have canceled the extraction shooter spinoff PUBG: Black Budget after several closed alpha tests. The developers stated that the current direction would not allow for a long-term enjoyable experience for players. The game was first announced in late 2025 and had undergone multiple playtesting phases.
Black Budget Joins PUBG’s Second Spin-Off Canceled Before Launch
Krafton has canceled its extraction-shooter spin-off, PUBG: Black Budget, before its launch following an internal review. The publisher cited that the game's current direction would not support a long-term player experience. This marks the second PUBG spin-off to be canceled, following PUBG: Blindspot.
PUBG: Black Budget Development Pulled by Krafton
Krafton has officially canceled the development of PUBG: Black Budget. The decision comes after a recent alpha test in June, indicating significant issues or a change in strategy for the project.
PUBG extraction shooter Black Budget canned less than a year from reveal, after Krafton decide it won't "deliver an experience players could enjoy over the long term"
Krafton has cancelled the development of PUBG: Black Budget, an extraction shooter spin-off, less than a year after its reveal. The company cited a lack of confidence that the game's current direction would provide a long-term enjoyable experience for players. PUBG Studios stated that lessons learned will be applied to future projects.
If game developers steal one thing from No Law, I hope it's the open-world game's ridiculously detailed and realistic corner shops
The open-world game No Law is praised for its exceptionally detailed and realistic corner shops, which are seen as a standout feature. These shops are integrated into the game's systems, offering items that affect gameplay and reacting to player actions like theft or purchase.
Krafton shuts down PUBG spin-off Black Budget nine months after closed alpha test
Krafton has ceased development on its PUBG spin-off, Black Budget, just nine months after its closed alpha test. The company cited that the game's current direction would not allow for a long-term enjoyable player experience. This marks the second PUBG spin-off cancellation this year, following Blindspot in March.
PUBG: Black Budget Cancelled, Krafton Pulls The Plug Over Engagement Concerns
Krafton has cancelled the development of PUBG: Black Budget, an extraction spin-off of PUBG: Battlegrounds, citing concerns about long-term player engagement. The studio is reportedly shifting focus to other projects, including the Subnautica franchise, while acknowledging the competitive landscape of live-service games.
PUBG: Black Budget Canceled, Joining Live-Service Graveyard
Krafton has canceled the development of its extraction shooter spin-off, PUBG: Black Budget, citing that it wasn't fun enough for long-term player engagement. This marks the second PUBG spin-off to be shut down, following PUBG: Blindspot. The publisher believes the live-service genre is challenging to succeed in, with many games failing to retain players.
Krafton pulls the plug on another PUBG game, Black Budget, less than a year after it was announced
Krafton has announced the cancellation of its extraction shooter spin-off, PUBG: Black Budget, less than a year after its announcement. The company cited that the game's current direction would not allow for a long-term enjoyable player experience. This marks the second PUBG spin-off to be cancelled, following PUBG: Blindspot.
"We want people to try and outsmart the game": No Law aims for Arkane-style reactivity within a dangerous walled city
No Law, an immersive sim from Neon Giant, features a densely detailed, systemic sci-fi world reminiscent of Arkane's best work. Creative directors Tor Frick and Arcade Berg highlight the game's reactive gameplay, where player choices significantly alter narrative and systemic elements within the lawless city of Port Desire. Despite the small team size, the game shows promise for deep player agency and emergent gameplay.
New publisher PUBLSH launches with Disco Elysium-inspired title Pera Coda
A new game publisher, PUBLSH, has launched with the goal of providing publisher-level leadership without excessive control. Co-founded by Ben Granados and Samuel Clarke, PUBLSH's first title is the episodic murder mystery Pera Coda, developed by Turkish studio Elyzio. The company plans to publish four to five games per year with development budgets under $20 million.
Wolverine developer Insomniac denies using generative AI after fans spot strange restroom sign
Insomniac Games has denied using generative AI in the development of Marvel's Wolverine after fans pointed to a peculiar restroom sign. Community director James Stevenson stated it was a "UV map bug" and confirmed no AI assets are present in the game. This comes as other studios like Level-5 have admitted to using AI, highlighting the ongoing debate in the industry.
With "11 kills, 12 kills at a time," battle royale hybrid Project Zeta is not your daddy's MOBA (or your…
Nirvanana's Project Zeta aims to blend MOBA, battle royale, and hero shooter elements into a new hybrid experience. Executive producer Namseok Kim highlighted the game's focus on player satisfaction through frequent, high-kill skirmishes, differentiating it from traditional MOBAs. The developer is actively incorporating player feedback from public tests to refine the game's design and map.
Roguelike FPS Dednet exists to spread "the gospel of PUBG," says creative director, which means it has "infinite" gameplay opportunities
PUBG: Dednet is a new roguelike FPS from the creators of PUBG, aiming to spread the "gospel of PUBG" with "infinite" gameplay opportunities. Creative director Dave Curd explains that unlike its predecessor, Dednet embraces imbalance through roguelike mechanics, encouraging aggressive play and frequent runs. The game features a '90s Pacific Northwest-inspired setting and aims to provide a chaotic, high-risk, high-reward experience for players tired of overly safe game design.
Shinji Mikami to join AIAS Hall of Fame at 2026 DICE Awards
Prolific game developer Shinji Mikami, known for pioneering the Resident Evil series, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 30th annual DICE Awards on February 18, 2026. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) is honoring Mikami for his over 30-year career, which includes founding Tango Gameworks and establishing Unbound. Goichi Suda will present the award.
PUBG: Dednet director says the game is all about 'spreading the gospel of PUBG to an audience that hasn't…
Krafton's upcoming shooter, PUBG: Dednet, aims to introduce the PUBG franchise to a new audience with roguelike elements and faster-paced gameplay. Creative director Dave Curd described the game as an attempt to spread the 'gospel of PUBG' through desperate survival and dark humor, with a focus on player-driven stories and unique abilities gained between matches.
Fan Backlash Puts Level-5’s AI Showcase Under Scrutiny
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has apologized after fans expressed backlash over the use of generative AI in footage shown during the studio's recent digital showcase. Hino stated that AI was used to make the presentation more spectacular, but insisted that core game elements like scenarios and character designs remain human-made. The incident has drawn comparisons to other games facing scrutiny for undisclosed AI use and highlights a wider industry trend.
